Madame Butterfly, the Betrayal: A Review of the Opera

By Jeff Bridges on Friday, December 25, 2009
Filled Under: Entertainment

Madame Butterfly is an opera written by Giacomo Puccini which is very popular. We strongly recommend opera glasses for this breathtaking opera. The reasons why are about to be shown to you.

The Madame Butterfly opera begins with a United States Naval Officer, one of the main characters named Pinkerton and a Japanese Marriage Broker named Goro. Pinkerton and Goro are looking at a little house with a gorgeous view from the top of a hill overlooking the bay. Pinkerton wants to have the house home for 999 years. His 999 years include being able to cancel the housing agreement.

The opera moves on, and we find that a wedding between Pinkerton and Butterfly is about to take place. Almost all of Butterfly’s family will be coming to attend, however her uncle will not be coming due to the fact that he is a priest.

Pinkerton of course plans to marry Butterfly however, his true goal in life is to gain the love of as many beautiful women as possible, as he puts it, and he will not be satisfied until he captures the flowers of every shore. For this reason he retained the right to cancel the agreement any month. The time approaches that the stage will introduce you to the elegant Butterfly, have your opera glasses prepared.

Before the Japanese beauty, Butterfly, enters the opera, the American consul comes out and asks Pinkerton if he truly loves his soon-to-be bride. Pinkerton cannot commit with a yes. He only describes how mesmerized he is by Butterfly’s personality which includes innocence, beauty and charm. One day Pinkerton speaks of having a real marriage to an American woman.

Butterfly finally graces the stage. The wedding of the Officer and Butterfly begins, as Butterfly’s family looks on. After the wedding has taken place, we find Butterfly’s uncle has broken into the party, he has found out that Butterfly has abandoned her own religion for Pinkerton’s by marrying him. Butterfly is crushed, but is consoled by her unloving husband Pinkerton.

Months and weeks pass Butterfly and Pinkerton stay happily married, Butterfly is beyond content, nearly exploding with joy with the marriage to the man that she loves so much. One day Pinkerton finds that he must leave to fulfill his service as a naval officer, and tells Butterfly that he will soon return.

As act three begins, we come to know that three years have passed since Pinkerton walked out the door for the last time. Butterfly faithfully watches out the window each day to see if his ship will come in. One day as she is watching out the window, she sees a figure that she recognizes walking up the path. No it is not Pinkerton coming up the path, but his good friend that she has known from the beginning as his friend the American Consul. She greets him excitedly hoping that he brings news from her husband. Unknown to Butterfly, the American Consul has been sent to her by Pinkerton to tell her that he has married an American woman named Kate, and that he would not be returning to her ever. Broken hearted, the American Consul Curses Pinkerton, and gives the news so hard to bear.

Crushed by the dishonor and betrayal she leaves the room only to come back carrying a child. She begs with the American Consul, she says that Pinkerton would not dare to leave his wife, and now child. After trying to convince him that Pinkerton would not leave her, she finally accepts the facts.

What happens next, you will have to find out for yourself, by attending Madame Butterfly. The music in this opera is delightful as it is majestic, the attention to detail, and beauty of the costumes is unforgettable. Make sure you bring your opera glasses so that you can enjoy this opera to the fullest.

Before you attend any performance make sure that you have a good pair of opera glasses. Here you can check out Opera Glasses with handle, flashlight, chain and more!

  • Share/Bookmark

Related Posts

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Leave a Reply